Listowel Novice LL Red shut out the South Bruce Blades, 7-0,
in Mildmay on Saturday.
In their most complete team effort of the season, Listowel took control of the game early and never looked back. Kole Shiestel opened the scoring less than two minutes in, thanks in large part to his new linemates, Ruby Hillier and Spence Henhoeffer, with the latter picking up an assist on the play.
At that point Finn Molenhuis, back from a bout with the flu, went on to score four consecutive goals in his best game of the season. The center’s two-way play landed him Player of the Games honours.
Listowel made it a 6-0 contest with Shiestel’s second of the game in the middle of the second period, and that’s when Red’s back end took over after some line shuffling by the Blades led to some South Bruce offensive pressure.
The “Bash Brothers” pairing of Oliver Hershey and Warner Hurst played seamlessly on the blue line, keeping the puck in the offensive end while snuffing out any South Bruce attacks. Brynn Berfelz and Grayson Matheson used their speed to control play at both ends of the rink and even hit the offensive side of the scoresheet along the way.
Noah Szasz was big when tested, turning aside several breakaways and a 3-on-0 to earn his 3rd shutout in the last four contests.
Henhoeffer capped the scoring in the 3rd period for a 7-0 final.
Listowel will enjoy five days off for the Christmas break before a practice next Friday, followed by their first home game at the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex on January 3 at 6:30pm vs. Listowel Black.